Types Of Wool: Discover The Best Options And Their Uses

Wool is a versatile and appreciated material in the textile industry due to its natural properties and warmth. However, there are different types of wool, each with specific characteristics and uses. In this article, we will explore the various types of wool available on the market, highlighting their advantages and applications. Here are the best types of wool fabrics and how to take advantage of their qualities in your projects and garments:

Merino wool

Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep, known for its softness and fineness. This wool is highly valued for its ability to regulate body temperature, maintaining warmth in colder climates and allowing breathability in warmer climates. Merino wool is known for being soft to the touch and comfortable to wear directly against the skin. It is ideal for sweaters, scarves, gloves and outerwear.

Alpaca Wool

Alpaca wool comes from alpacas, which are native to South America. This wool is exceptionally warm, light and soft. Due to its hollow fiber, alpaca wool offers excellent thermal insulation. It is water and odor resistant, making it a popular choice for winter garments such as coats, shawls and hats.

Cashmere Wool

Cashmere wool comes from the Kashmir goat and is known for its softness and luxury. This wool is extremely fine and lightweight, but provides a great deal of warmth. Cashmere is ideal for luxury knitwear such as sweaters, shawls and scarves. It is delicate and requires special care, but its texture and warmth make it a prized choice.

Other Wools and Blends

In addition to the types of wool mentioned above, there are other varieties and blends that offer different characteristics. Some popular choices include:

- Shetland wool: Known for its strength and heat-retaining ability, it is used in hardwearing garments such as sweaters and socks.

- Mohair wool: Sourced from the Angora goat, it is soft and lustrous, ideal for lightweight garments and accessories.

- Wool blends: Wool blends combine different types of fibers, such as wool and acrylic, for durability and ease of care.

Wool and Sustainability

Sustainability is an increasingly important aspect of the textile industry, and wool plays a prominent role in promoting more circular and environmentally friendly practices. Below, we will highlight how wool aligns with the principles of circularity:

- Durability and longevity: Wool is known for its durability, which means that wool garments tend to have a longer lifespan compared to other fibers. This helps reduce demand for new garments and minimize waste.

- Recycling and upcycling: Wool is a material that can be recycled and reused in a variety of ways. Used wool garments can be transformed into new products or converted into yarns for fabrics. In addition, recovered wools, such as those offered at Recovo, are an example of the use of surplus stock and contribute to closing the production cycle.

- Biodegradability: Wool is a natural and biodegradable material. When a wool garment reaches the end of its useful life, it can decompose naturally without leaving harmful residues in the environment, in contrast to synthetic fibers that can take years to degrade.

- Emission reductions: Compared to the production of synthetic fibers, wool production generates less greenhouse gas emissions. Sheep farming and wool processing have a relatively lower environmental impact in terms of carbon footprint.

At Recovo, we are proud to offer a carefully curated selection of reclaimed wools, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. By choosing wool fabrics from Recovo, you are supporting the circular economy and helping to reduce textile waste. These sustainable practices promote greater awareness of environmental impact and encourage a more responsible and circular fashion industry. Opting for wool is a conscious choice that combines the beauty and warmth of the material with a focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact.